Introducing Grant Larsen Kiehn

I know this post is late! After 9 long months of waiting our baby boy finally arrived on Friday, September 17th at 4:59 pm. Here is the story of his birth:

I went to my regularly scheduled appointment on Thursday the 16th. I wasn't having contractions at all, but I was dilated to a 2. If the baby didn't come within the next week, the doctor set up an induction date for the 24th. So I went home and we went to Andrew's back to school night. He was so excited to show us where he sat and all around his classroom. I went to bed that night as usual and around 3:00 am I awoke to a bit of discomfort. I didn't think they were contractions though. I just couldn't believe that nothing was happening yesterday and all of a sudden I was in labor?? I thought it was a stomach ache or back ache and got up and ate something and went to lay on the couch for a while. After looking at the clock, it became apparent that yes, I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart. Danny got up at 6:30 for work and I told him that he wouldn't be going in because we were having a baby. We waited a bit to start calling everyone, but soon a plan of action was put in place. Natalie came over and picked up the kids and took them to my parent's house. My mom and Tory were ready to go to the hospital at anytime. After everything was figured out it was just a matter of waiting. Things seemed to progress slowly. At 3:30 we decided to go to the hospital, but the contractions were still only 6-7 minutes apart.

I'll spare you the gory details, but it became apparent when I arrived at the hospital that labor was progressing incredibly fast. I was quite upset to find out that an epidural was out of the question - it was time to push. WHAT??!!!! No, no, no this is not what I wanted! I did natural child birth with Andrew and I didn't want to revisit that experience. During the delivery I couldn't even see Danny. He was in the corner by my head. I was so thankful to have Tory and my mom there because I'm not sure I could have done it without them. Even so, I recall saying several times that I could not do this. After pushing for what seemed like forever, but it wasn't, he was born at 4:59 pm - only 90 minutes after arriving at the hospital. He weighed 8 lbs, 15 oz and was 20 inches long.

Here is Danny holding Grant not long after he was born.

And my mom.

Grant getting a bath which he did not like.

All dressed and warm in the bassinet.

Danny and I with baby Grant.

We stayed the hospital until Sunday. This picture was taken just after we changed him to go home. One thing we have noticed with him is that he does not like having his diaper or clothes changed. He likes to be warm and cozy, as most babies do.

A picture of Grant and I on our way out of the hospital to start a new journey together. Welcome to the family!